Netanyahu, determined to occupy Rafah "with or without a deal" for the hostages

2024-04-30 14:57:35, Kosova & Bota CNA

Netanyahu, determined to occupy Rafah "with or without a deal" for the

Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch the occupation of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are taking refuge because of the war that began almost seven months ago.

Netanyahu's announcement came on April 30 as talks on a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas — the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union — have gathered pace.

Netanyahu also made these statements a few hours before the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, started his visit to Israel. The visit aims to advance talks on a ceasefire, as one of the most serious rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas since the start of the war appears to be taking place. The cease-fire agreement that has been proposed provides for the release of hostages, relief of the situation for the population and a halt to the launch of an Israeli offensive in Rafah, which could potentially cause heavy civilian casualties.

Speaking to a group of family members and organizations representing families of hostages being held by Hamas, Netanyahu said Israel will enter Rafah to destroy Hamas battalions whether or not a deal is reached to release the hostages.

"The idea that we will stop the war before we achieve all our goals falls apart," Netanyahu said.

"We will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions with or without an agreement and achieve complete victory," he added, according to a statement released by his office.

Netanyahu has faced pressure from the government's nationalist partners not to accept a deal that would prevent Israel from occupying Rafah, which Israel considers the last stronghold of Hamas. His government would be endangered if he agreed to such a thing.

But with more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people taking refuge in Rafah, the international community, including the United States, has warned Israel not to carry out offensives in the city and put civilians at risk.

The war in Gaza began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping nearly 250 others. Israel says the radical Palestinian group is still holding close to 100 hostages, including the remains of more than 30 people.

The Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The war has forced 80 percent of the population of Gaza to leave their homes, caused great destruction and pushed residents in the north of the enclave to the brink of starvation./ REL